Shaolin Tai Chi Jian not Wudang, Wu Jian & Wen Jian, Taoist, Antique, Battle ready

[Sajen]

I am afraid Joe, I am not well informed by jians but have handled a few, to my eyes all look like reproductions from the mid. 20th century. Sorry, but this is what I think.

Regards,
Detlef

[JoeCanada42]

During the Middle Ages, most swords were relatively light. By the 15th century, larger and heavier swords had been developed, including the 'Bastard' or 'Hand-and-a-half' sword. They were hybrid swords that enabled blows to be delivered with the power of a two-handed sword but could also be wielded with one hand.

https://collections.royalarmouries.o...h%20one%20hand.

The versatility of the design prevented the sword from being specifically categorized as either a one-handed or two-handed weapon. The word bastard was therefore to this sword meaning something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin, having a misleading appearance

https://english.stackexchange.com/qu...g%20appearance.

funny that bastard is used as a curse word meaning different father, actually more accurately, born without marriage?

[JoeCanada42]

maybe my definition of bastard isn't right... here's synonyms, illegitimate, misbegotten, baseborn, spurious, supposititious, motherless, fatherless, nameless;

[JoeCanada42]

late 19c-to early 20c as you called it would be Qing ,
seems the market acceptance, perception and value of these swords has gone up quite a bit recently.
I just looked at all the ones sold on mandarin mansion, I like mine more , I wouldn't trade it for any I seen. I also saw the work done on polishing some of these, where the brass was old like mine with rot? and the rayskin had heavy varnish? removed.
I also seen great river taoist center swords on youtube and got to say mine looks very well made compared to his explanations and comparisons

I see one with the same orange ray skin and same fittings as an example I provided ,similar blade but no dragon I could see, it is for sale now, called Ming, listed for thousands...

[JoeCanada42]

with xrf technology and unique symbols, provenance may be lacking but age and origin can be confirmed

seem most auctions don't touch Chinese swords unless they know what tomb or excavation site they come from. this I think keeps the market value low for swords of quality kept in closests or underappreciated. maybe more will come out of hiding when they are recognized properly

[JoeCanada42]

before the fittings on the red dragon were seen to be crude, but this could be seen as part of the Daoist tradition of taking things as they come and not making an effort.

[JoeCanada42]

maybe its the fact that these can be found on eBay rather than a retail dealer ,
this fact takes away a honey pot , and customers

[Sajen]

The engravings on the blades I never have seen by old examples, only by tourist or collector swords.
Compare!

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=jian

There are more jians shown here, look also sold pieces by dealers, not one jian which I can remember was described as authentic have had this engravings on the blade. But like said, I know next to nothing about them but we have members here who can give a very educated opinion.

Regards,
Detlef

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Sajen

I am afraid Joe, I am not well informed by jians but have handled a few, to my eyes all look like reproductions from the mid. 20th century. Sorry, but this is what I think.

Regards,
Detlef

Agreed except they can be much later than mid 20th. Unfortunately the market for these appeared generally from the late 90s and continued until the mid 2010s in force and many swords like these appeared at that time

Just to address one comment about identifying replicas and why perhaps some do not comment. Pointing out publicly how a replica is recognized is a good way to allow those making replicas to correct the flaws in their work. I can safely say the lack of comments has nothing to do with any attempt to keep prices low for these swords.

As always with antique collecting, books are often worth more than cheaper pieces of suspect provenance.